Cover for hot tub, spa, or the like

ABSTRACT

A hot tub cover having a structural, non-water absorbing, plastic core and a jacket enclosing said core. The core includes two identical core halves hinged to one another. Each core half includes an upper wall, a lower wall, and a plurality of ribs extending therebetween. The upper wall of each half slopes downwardly from the center to the peripheral edge.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cover for spas, hot tubs, and thelike and more particularly to an improved core for such covers.

In order to provide insulation, limit pollution, and prevent the risk ofaccidents, it is desirable to cover the open top of a spa or hot tub. Aconventional cover typically includes a foam material that is coveredwith fabric. These conventional covers are generally designed to coverthe entire open surface of a hot tub, often having two separate halvescapable of folding together to aid in removal of the cover.

Conventional hot tub covers have several disadvantages. First, the covercan become filled with water by a leak or other means, causing the coverto be excessively heavy. When this happens, the weight of the cover isgreatly increased and removal becomes extremely burdensome. Second, inextreme cases, the foam core can become waterlogged, leading to interiorbacterial growth and or weakening of the foam. Third, conventionalcovers support limited weight, especially if the core has becomeweakened. Children playing on the cover can break the cover and fallinto the water. This risk is elevated if the children are relativelylarge or if they jump on the cover. Fourth, conventional covers tend tosag over time, especially if waterlogged, allowing standing water on theupper surface of the cover permitting undesirable bacterial growth.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aforementioned problems are overcome by the present inventionwherein a cover for a hot tub or spa includes a structural, non-waterabsorbing plastic core.

In a preferred embodiment, the upper surface of the core slopes from thecenter of the cover to the perimeter of the cover to provide water runoff.

In another preferred embodiment, the plastic core is ribbed to provideincreased load bearing capabilities. The ribs improve the static loadcapabilities of the cover, and resist sagging. A foam or similarmaterial may be injected between the ribs to enhance the thermalproperties of the cover.

The present invention provides several advantages. First, the coverresists filling with water, avoiding the growth and weight problemsassociated with such water. Second, the core cannot become waterlogged.Third, the cover supports significantly increased weight, and thereforereduces the likelihood that a child with break the cover. Fourth, thecover provides water run off from its sloped upper surface; and thecover does not sag.

These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention willbe more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the detaileddescription of the preferred embodiment and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the hot tub cover of the presentinvention installed on a hot tub.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a central portion of the cover taken alongline 2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2 of an alternativeembodiment of the cover.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the cover with portions of the vinyl jacketremoved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A hot tub in accordance with the preferred embodiment is shown in FIG. 1and generally designated 10. It should be understood that the hot tub 10may be rectangular (as shown) or any other desired shape. The cover 12fits over the entire opening 11 of the hot tub 10. The cover 12generally includes a vinyl jacket 14 and a plastic core insert 16. Thevinyl jacket 14 encloses the core 16 and is conventionally sealed aroundthe core 16. The core insert 16 includes a hinge 22 that allows thecover 12 to fold onto itself. The core insert 16 tapers from the hingetowards the periphery and includes a plurality of strengthening ribs 18.

The jacket 14 is well known and generally made of a marine grade vinyl,or another high-strength waterproof fabric. The jacket 14 is largeenough to fit over a rigid core 16, and includes a front edge 24, rearedge 26, and an outer edge 28. In a preferred embodiment, the jacket 14is capable of being sealed to completely enclose the core 16 byconventional means such as a zipper, sewing, or similar method (notshown) after the core 16 is inserted. The jacket 14 includes a sectionof extra material 15 approximately in the center capable of fittingwithin the hinge portion 22 of the core insert 16. The extra material 15allows the cover 12 to fold in half. The jacket 14 may also includeattachments (not shown) such as snaps that attach the cover 12 to thehot tub 10 when the cover 12 is installed.

The core 16 is preferably made from a thermoformable polymer such asABS. The core is shaped to fit inside a corresponding vinyl jacket 12,such that the combination of jacket 14 and core 16 fit over the opening11 of a hot tub 10. The core 16 is a single piece of plastic, includingopposing lateral portions 34 and 35 joined by a central hinge portion22. Each lateral portion 34, 35 extends from an inner edge 20 to anouter edge 21 (shown in FIG. 4 on lateral portion 35 only). The outeredge 21 is in communication with the outer edge 28 of the jacket 14 wheninserted in the jacket 14. The hinge 22 extends parallel to edges 20 and21 from a front edge 36 to a rear edge 37 (not shown), so that the core16 is foldable approximately in half. The front edge 36 and rear edge 37are in communication with the front 24 and rear 26 edges of the jacket14 respectively when the core 16 is inserted in the jacket 14.

In another preferred embodiment, the core 16 includes an upper surface30, a lower surface 32, and a plurality of ribs 18 extendingtherebetween. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the ribs 18 generally runparallel to the hinge 22 and extend from the front edge 36 to the rearedge 37 of the core 16. In a preferred embodiment, the ribs 18 areevenly distributed between the hinge 22 and outer edges 34 and 36. Inanother preferred embodiment, each rib 18 has a height 38 that isuniform from the front edge 36 to the rear edge 37. However, the height38 of each sequential rib 18 decreases from the hinge 22 toward theouter edge 20, such that the upper surface 30 and lower surface 32converge approaching the outer edge 20 of the lateral portions 34 and35.

In the preferred embodiment, the open spaces 40 between individual ribsare filled with air so the cover 12 retains heat in the hot tub 10 wheninstalled. However, as shown in FIG. 3 the spaces 40 may alternativelybe filled with an insulating foam 42 or other insulating material tofurther enhance the thermal properties of the cover 12.

In operation, the core 16 is inserted into the jacket 14. The core 16may be a replacement for a used core insert, such that it is insertedinto an existing used jacket, or the core 16 may be inserted into abrand new jacket 14 of the desired dimensions. The jacket 14 is sealedabout the insert 16 and placed over the opening of a hot tub 10. Removalof the cover 12 consists of folding the cover 12 back about the hinge 22and pulling the cover off the hot tub 10.

The above description is that of a preferred embodiment of theinvention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departingfrom the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in theappended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with theprinciples of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. Anyreference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using thearticles “a,” “an,” “the” or “said,” is not to be construed as limitingthe element to the singular.

1. A cover for a hot tub or spa, comprising: a structural, non-waterabsorbing, plastic core, said core including upper and lower wallsspaced from one another and a plurality of spaced ribs extending betweensaid upper and lower walls, said spaced ribs defining a plurality ofopenings therebetween; and a water resistant jacket enclosing said core.2. The cover of claim 1 wherein said core includes: two core halves,each half being a single unitary piece; and a hinge hingedlyinterconnecting said halves, whereby said cover can be folded in halffor removal and installation.
 3. (canceled)
 4. The cover of claim 1further comprising an insulated foam within said openings.
 5. The coverof claim 2 wherein each half includes a hinged edge and a peripheraledge, said upper wall sloping downwardly from said hinged edge to saidperipheral edge.
 6. A cover for a hot tub or a spa, comprising: apolymeric core including an upper wall and a lower wall, said upper wallhaving a central portion and an outer edge, said upper wall slopingdownwardly from said central portion to said outer edge, said corefurther including a plurality of ribs extending between said upper andlower walls; and a water resistant jacket enclosing said core.
 7. Thecover of claim 6 wherein said cover is hinged in said central portion,whereby said cover can be folded approximately in half.
 8. The cover ofclaim 7 further comprising an insulating material between said ribs.